Music Students At University Of Michigan: How Many?

how many music students at university of michigan

The University of Michigan is a public research university in Ann Arbor, Michigan, that was founded in 1817. It is the oldest institution of higher education in the state and is one of the earliest American research universities. The university consists of 19 colleges and offers 250 degree programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels. The School of Music, Theatre, and Dance is part of the University of Michigan's College of Literature, Science, and Arts. During the 2021-2022 academic year, 83 music majors earned their bachelor's degree from the University of Michigan, with 69 earning a master's degree and 18 earning a doctorate. The university is also home to various musical ensembles, such as the Michigan Marching Band, the University Symphony Orchestra, and the University Philharmonia Orchestra, which provide performance and training opportunities for music students.

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University of Michigan music student numbers:

The University of Michigan (U-M, UMich, or Michigan) is a public research university in Ann Arbor, Michigan. It is the oldest institution of higher education in the state, founded in 1817. The university consists of 19 colleges and offers 250 degree programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

During the 2021-2022 academic year, 83 music majors earned their bachelor's degree from U-M, a 20% decrease from the previous year. Of these graduates, 61% were men and 39% were women. In the same year, 69 students graduated with a master's degree in music, with a similar gender breakdown to the bachelor's program. U-M also awarded 18 doctoral degrees in music in 2022.

The university's music program is part of its School of Music, Theatre, and Dance. The school offers a range of ensemble opportunities for students, including choral ensembles, orchestras, wind bands, historical music ensembles, jazz ensembles, and more. The Michigan Marching Band, with over 350 student members, is the university's marching band and performs at every home football game. The school also has a pops orchestra, a men's glee club, and over 20 a cappella groups.

The University of Michigan is ranked highly for its music program. In 2025, it was ranked #21 in the Best Colleges list for National Universities. It is also ranked #2 in the country for music students pursuing a bachelor's degree and #1 in Michigan.

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University of Michigan music student demographics:

The University of Michigan is a public research university in Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States. It was founded in 1817 and is the oldest institution of higher education in the state. The university consists of 19 colleges and offers 250 degree programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

During the 2021-2022 academic year, 83 students earned bachelor's degrees in music, a decrease of 20% from the previous year. Of these graduates, 61% were men and 39% were women, with the majority being white (53%). In the same year, 69 students graduated with a master's degree in music, with a similar gender breakdown to the bachelor's program: 61% men and 39% women. 18 students received doctoral degrees in music in 2022, though it is unclear how many were awarded in the 2021-2022 academic year.

The University of Michigan is ranked highly for its music program. In 2025, it was ranked #21 in the Best Colleges list for National Universities. It is also ranked #12 for music master's degree candidates and #25 for music doctoral degree candidates. For students pursuing a bachelor's degree in music, the University of Michigan is ranked #2 in the country and #1 in Michigan.

The university offers a range of musical opportunities for its students, including ensembles such as the Michigan Marching Band, the University Symphony Orchestra, the University Philharmonia Orchestra, and the Contemporary Directions Ensemble. The school is also home to one of the longest-established Javanese gamelan ensembles in the United States, known as Kyai Telaga Madu (Venerable Lake of Honey). In addition, students can participate in musical theatre productions, such as those put on by MUSKET (founded in 1908) and the University of Michigan Gilbert and Sullivan Society.

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University of Michigan music student activities:

Music students at the University of Michigan have a wide range of activities to get involved in. The School of Music, Theatre, and Dance offers various ensemble opportunities, including choral ensembles, orchestras, wind bands, historical music ensembles, jazz ensembles, and chamber music groups. Students can audition for the Athletic Bands, regardless of their major, and receive training in large orchestral ensembles.

The University of Michigan is also home to several student-run organizations and events. MUSKET, founded in 1908, puts on two large-scale musical productions each year, entirely run by students. The Michigan Performance Outreach Workshop (MPOW) is another student-led initiative that organizes a one-day event each semester, inviting 5th graders from across Michigan for a day of arts performances and lessons. The University also has a long-established Javanese gamelan ensemble, which has been a part of the University since 1966, providing a unique cultural experience for students.

In addition to performances, the School of Music, Theatre, and Dance offers career development programs like EXCEL, providing individual career coaching, workshops, and funding for student projects. The Center for World Performance Studies (CWPS) is another resource for students, promoting cultural exchange and performance studies.

The University also hosts various concerts and recitals throughout the year. Students can perform in chamber music recitals, senior recitals, and collaborative piano recitals. There are also concerts featuring electroacoustic pieces and immersive music experiences, showcasing the diverse talents of the students and faculty.

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University of Michigan music student opportunities:

The University of Michigan offers a wide range of opportunities for music students across its campuses in Ann Arbor, Dearborn, and Flint.

The School of Music, Theatre, and Dance provides a diverse array of performance opportunities. Students can participate in large ensembles in concert halls or chamber groups in more intimate settings, with nearly 900 student performances each academic year. Whether interested in early, classical, or contemporary music, jazz, electronic, or world music, there is an ensemble to suit different interests. Specific opportunities are available for percussion, piano, and organ & carillon. The Grammy-nominated University of Michigan Percussion Ensemble, for example, has commissioned, performed, and recorded works from various musical cultures. Students can also perform in studio classes, solo recitals, and studio recitals. The department presents four to five fully-mounted main stage shows annually, featuring acting majors.

The University Bands, including the Athletic (Pep) Bands, offer another avenue for music students to get involved. These bands perform at various University of Michigan athletic events, providing an opportunity to participate in Michigan's athletic program. The University and Campus Bands are open to the entire U-M community, including non-music majors seeking a concert band experience. The University Band is the most advanced non-music major band, while the Campus Band is open to any student with experience. Rehearsals take place in Revelli Hall, near Michigan Stadium. The Campus Band Chamber Ensembles allow students to work in small groups, with resources for literature, practice facilities, and coaching provided.

For those interested in orchestral ensembles, the University offers the Symphony Orchestra, Philharmonia Orchestra, Contemporary Directions Ensemble, and pit orchestra for opera productions. Additionally, two Campus Orchestras comprise non-music major students, faculty members, staff, and alumni. The University is also home to one of the longest-established Javanese gamelan ensembles in the United States, the U-M gamelan, named Kyai Telaga Madu. This ensemble provides a unique opportunity to explore new music composed for gamelan and offers an immersive performance experience for wind and percussion students.

Music students at the University of Michigan can also pursue their interests through various student organizations. Arts Enterprise invites students to create projects and connect with local, national, and international cultural spheres. Basement Arts allows students to direct, produce, and star in studio productions, often performing student-written works. MUSKET, founded in 1908, produces two large-scale musical productions each year, entirely run by students. The University of Michigan Gilbert and Sullivan Society also produces main-stage operettas annually.

The University further supports music students through the EXCEL (Excellence in Entrepreneurship, Career Empowerment, and Leadership) career program. This initiative provides individual career coaching, workshops, and significant funding for student projects. The Center for World Performance Studies (CWPS), established in 2000, is now part of the School of Music, Theatre, and Dance, offering additional opportunities for cultural engagement. Furthermore, the University of Michigan-Flint's Music Program offers scholarships, with over $75,000 awarded in the past three years. The program emphasizes a combination of music with other fields, and students can pursue internships and explore career options with the help of academic advisors.

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University of Michigan music student finances:

The University of Michigan's School of Music, Theatre, and Dance offers a range of financial aid options for its music students. The school provides merit-based scholarships, emergency funding, and supplemental tuition assistance for students facing financial difficulties. Additionally, the EXCEL program, established within the Department of Entrepreneurship & Leadership, offers an annual funding pool of $100,000 for student projects and venture incubation.

For students requiring financial aid, the University of Michigan recommends contacting their Scholarships and Financial Aid team. The university provides limited funds for students facing unexpected financial challenges, such as family or personal situations that impact their ability to continue their studies. In such cases, the university may offer supplemental tuition assistance.

Music students at the University of Michigan can also benefit from various funding opportunities through their ensembles and organisations. Students across all U-M campuses with any major are welcome to audition for the Athletic Bands and receive training in large orchestral ensembles. These include the University Symphony Orchestra, the University Philharmonia Orchestra, the Contemporary Directions Ensemble, and the pit orchestra for opera productions. Additionally, the school offers ensemble opportunities specifically for non-music major students, involving faculty members, staff, and alumni.

The School of Music, Theatre, and Dance also houses the EXCEL program, which provides career coaching, workshops, and funding for student projects. Established in 2015, EXCEL offers over $100,000 in annual funding, including the EXCELerator for new venture incubation and the annual $10,000 EXCELprize. The program empowers students to pursue their entrepreneurial and artistic dreams by providing the resources and support needed to turn their ideas into reality.

Furthermore, the University of Michigan's music students can explore opportunities for funding through organisations like MUSKET and the University of Michigan Gilbert and Sullivan Society, which produce large-scale musical and operetta productions. Additionally, the Michigan Performance Outreach Workshop, founded by students, offers a free one-day event each semester for 5th graders in Southeast Michigan to engage in arts performances and lessons led by U-M students from various disciplines.

While the University of Michigan provides financial aid and scholarships, it is important for students to also practice financial responsibility. Offices such as the University Libraries, Health Services, and Student Accounts can place financial holds on a student's record if indebtedness is identified. To resolve this, students can make payments through Wolverine Access or in person at the Cashier's window, ensuring that they communicate the existence of any financial holds to facilitate their timely removal.

Frequently asked questions

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69 students.

75 students.

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Over 350 students.

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